I currently have a 5Dmk2 with 17-40L, 50/1.8, and my original lens 28-135IS. The first two are good but not long enough. The older lens just can't keep up optically with the 5Dmk2, so I'm about to buy the 70-200 f2.8 ii. That seems to give me a good coverage of everything from wide to long.
I'm flying out Thursday and buying this on Amazon, it should be here in time. But my current bag, which fits all three lenses snugly, won't fit the 8 inches of the new lens.
So two question:
1. When you guys walk around a city, do you bother to carry a bag or is it just camera and lens? I think I'll probably have to have a bag since I'll want some wide shots too.
2. If you have a bag, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

Michael

safcraftRegistered: Nov 30, 2010Total Posts: 541Country: Portugal

I carry my 5D + 80-200L in my Tamrac Expedition 3.
I can take an extra flash or the 50 f1.4 too.

I am about to purchase the Lowepro Pro Messenger bag so i can take the 17-40L also.

I am a big fan of Think Tank gear. They have just about every possible set up you could imagine. It really depends on how you are most comfortable carrying your gear? For me, I use a Think Tank backpack to carry all my gear. This includes 'extras' like spare batteries and even the charger. When I get to the location to shoot, I then use the Think Tank waistbelt with just a couple of lens changers on each side. This keeps me really mobile and able to change lenses for different situations really easy. Plus, my shoulders don't hurt from carrying a shoulder bag. Just my .02.

jrsclsRegistered: Sep 07, 2005Total Posts: 1499Country: United States

+1 on Think Tank bags. My primary bag is a Think Tank StreetWalker Pro Hard Drive, but I just ordered a Think Tank Urban Disguise 35 shoulder bag today to keep a second body, lens and flash for a day bag. The reason I ordered it was it can hold a gripped 5D II with a 70-200 MK f2.8 II mounted.

DLPRegistered: Apr 17, 2007Total Posts: 2514Country: United States

I've never found a single "best" only better bags for a given day. Having said that I almost always end up using a Think Tank or Billingham bag.
For the city I've grown fond of messenger bags converted to camera bags.

Dave

YonkersRegistered: Feb 06, 2004Total Posts: 159Country: United States

Thanks everyone. The Think Tank Urban Disguise 35 looks to fit my needs. Looks small enough for me to easily walk around Vegas for the day.

gel685Registered: Dec 04, 2008Total Posts: 242Country: United States

I have the TT UD 35 and it fits everything you list. That will be a fine choice.--Eric.

Maybe I have to try my ud 30 again, I was just about to put it up for sale because I already have a transport backpack, and need a carry bag... I felt the ud 30 (admittedly a bit different than the 35) was a great solution for the former but not the latter.. but I also like to keep the rs7 attached.

Good advice all around, but note that Think Tank bags are heavy. Great, but heavy. Timbuk 2 has a messenger style camera bag that might be good for your trip, and the dividers come out so you can use it as a bag for other purposes, as well.

Not dissing TT; I'm in the process of moving to their belt system myself. Good luck!

YonkersRegistered: Feb 06, 2004Total Posts: 159Country: United States

That's odd because the Timbuk2 one you linked has 3 sizes that are 2.2, 3.0, and 3.4 lbs respectively. The Urban Disguise 35 is 3.1 lbs. So it's a wash.
But that looks good too and it's cheaper. But I already got the UD 35 and with Amazon Prime, it's in tomorrow.
Thanks tho.

If I put the 50 in a pouch, I can easy add a 28-75 Tamron but the bag is getting pretty heavy. There's an Ipad/Netbook pocket in the back and the whole thing is very ergonomic. Awesome design and it doesn't look like a photo bag which is a bonus in a city.

_MK

jrsclsRegistered: Sep 07, 2005Total Posts: 1499Country: United States

Got my UD 35 today and decided to return it as I just didn't like stacking things and putting the gear in/out of the top through a zipper.

The perfect fit is the LowePro Toploader 75 AW. It takes a gripped body with the 70-200 2.8 and reversed hood. You can attach an additional lens pouch to it and carry a wide zoom in it. That is my standard walk around bag when I carry one or two lenses only. The bag has a zipped side pocket that can take an additional 580EX II if needed.

Fr3d wrote:
The perfect fit is the LowePro Toploader 75 AW. It takes a gripped body with the 70-200 2.8 and reversed hood. You can attach an additional lens pouch to it and carry a wide zoom in it. That is my standard walk around bag when I carry one or two lenses only. The bag has a zipped side pocket that can take an additional 580EX II if needed.

I had that one and sold it once I received the Kata

Kata H-14 fits (all at the same time, without needing an additional lens pouch):

5d II with RRS L bracket and attached 70-200 II with hood reversed and tripod collar attached.
Then on one side pocket will fit a 24-105L or 16-35II L (but not the hood), or 17-40L.
The other side pocket will fill a 580ex II, or 50/1.8 + 85/1.8.

Each side pocket is actually large enough to hold a 70-200 2.8 II (without the hood and tripod collar), but not if the middle is stuffed full with the 5d II and 70-200 2.8 II.